ANALYZING WATER DISTRIBUTION-SYSTEMS FOR SWINE GROWING AND FINISHING UNITS

An analysis procedure for livestock water distribution systems with nipple waterers is presented. The procedure uses the finite element analysis techniques to calculate the pressure distribution in a system with several branches and nipple waterers. The procedure also optimize the system for flow uniformity and cost. The formulation allows the use of the drop inlet as a discharge point to reduce the size of the solution matrix. The discharge parameters were developed at this inlet using waterer flow characteristics. The flow rate at each nipple waterer can be then calculated based on the drop inlet pressure. The solution for a typical network is presented. The method can be used as the basis for the design and evaluation of water distribution systems in swine growing and finishing units.